UNITED NATIONS — In a virtual address to world leaders on Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated that his people reject the recent Hamas attack on Israel. He emphasized that Hamas will not have a role in governing the Gaza Strip after the conflict ends and must surrender its weapons to his administration.

Abbas, speaking after the United States denied him a visa, described the situation in Gaza as a “war of genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement” caused by Israel. His remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to deliver his own address in New York on Friday.

In a concise speech lasting only 20 minutes, Abbas reiterated his vision for a Palestinian state encompassing the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel. This two-state solution has gained momentum recently, with several countries, including key U.S. allies, recognizing Palestinian statehood. However, the prospect of such a state seems increasingly distant, as Netanyahu's government has firmly rejected its establishment. Netanyahu has stated that Israeli troops will maintain control over Gaza after Hamas is defeated and has dismissed any role for Abbas' Palestinian Authority in the region.

Some members of Netanyahu's administration have even advocated for the annexation of the occupied West Bank, where Abbas' authority governs limited areas. "There can be no justice if Palestine is not freed," Abbas declared. He asserted that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza, insisting that Hamas must relinquish its governance role and disarm.

While Hamas has agreed to step down, it has refused to disarm, claiming a right to resist Israeli occupation. Abbas condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza, labeling them as "not merely an aggression, it is a war crime and a crime against humanity." Many experts globally have accused Israel of committing genocide in its Gaza operations, a claim Israel denies, attributing the violence to Hamas.

Abbas expressed gratitude to world leaders who have supported Palestinians during the ongoing conflict. He welcomed recent announcements from France, the U.K., and Canada recognizing Palestinian statehood and urged other nations to follow suit. However, he stressed that symbolic recognition is insufficient to address the current crisis.

"The time has come for the international community to do right by the Palestinian people, so that they may obtain their legitimate rights to be free from occupation and not remain hostages to the whims of Israeli politics," Abbas stated.

In a message of hope, he reassured the Palestinian people that their suffering would not diminish their will to survive. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 65,000 deaths and more than 167,000 injuries, with women and children comprising about half of the fatalities. The conflict has led to the destruction of over 90% of housing in Gaza, displacing most of its 2 million residents, and famine has been declared in the northern region.

The violence escalated after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Currently, 48 captives remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.

"The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies as a symbol of dignity, steadfastness and being free from the occupation," Abbas concluded. "We will not leave our homeland. We will not leave our lands."